Justin Trudeau resigns as Canadian Prime Minister

OTTAWA: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation as both the Prime Minister and leader of the Liberal Party. However, it remains unclear whether Trudeau will continue as Prime Minister until the Liberal Party announces a new leader or if the position will be handed over to someone else.

It is learned that Trudeau is considering appointing Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc as the interim Prime Minister. However, this may not happen if LeBlanc decides to contest for the leadership of the Liberal Party. With a general election scheduled for October, finding a new leader poses a significant challenge for the Liberal Party. Trudeau, 53, became Prime Minister in 2015. Surveys predict that the Liberal Party may lose the election, and a Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre is expected to come to power.

Trudeau, who supported Khalistani extremists and took an anti-India stance, had faced international criticism. He faced various headaches in Canada such as a failed immigration policy, a housing crisis, and inflation.

Anti-India policies backfired

• Trudeau's anti-India stance and encouragement of Khalistani elements, along with immigration challenges, eroded public support.
• The Liberal Party, with only 153 seats in the 338-member Parliament, is isolated and lacks a majority. Calls for Trudeau's resignation emerged even within his own party.
• Former ally Jagmeet Singh's New Democratic Party (NDP), with 25 seats, also demanded Trudeau’s ouster.
• The main opposition Conservative Party holds 119 seats, while the Bloc Québécois has 33 members.